Crime and mystery: 10 must-watch detective TV shows

Television series often have incredibly exciting and hypnotic stories. Their creation often involves the best directors, screenwriters and producers. One of the most popular genres is detective. These series have intriguing stories with secrets and mysteries. They don’t only surprise the viewer with its endings, but also perfectly train the brain along the way. We’ve made a selection of must-see detective TV shows, which will definitely help you feel like Sherlock.

1. Columbo

“Columbo” is probably the most iconic detective TV show of all time. Lieutenant Columbo is easily recognizable for his beige coat, old car and a cigar. He is a Los Angeles-based detective, who investigates crimes of rich and famous people. The lieutenant constantly arrives at the crime scene the last one and often gives an impression that he disturbs the work of the police. And this is when the murderer makes a critical mistake and loses all caution and vigilance. At the same time, the amazing mind and incredible observation of Lieutenant Columbo always help him solve the crime.

The name of the main character didn’t mention all throughout the series and only by looking at his police badge the viewer finds out that his name is Frank. Columbo often mentions his wife, but she also has not appeared in any of the episodes.

2. Agatha Christie’s Poirot

The title of this British TV show speaks for itself. Retired Belgian policeman Hercule Poirot is the main character of the plot. He was created by the famous writer Agatha Christie, who wrote 33 novels and 51 stories about him. Hercule Poirot is the only fictional character, mentioned in an obituary on the front page of the New York Times.

Events of each episode unfold according to her works. The viewer recognizes Hercule by his black mustache and a hat. Before playing the role, actor David Suchet had read all of Agatha Christie’s books about this character. And since the actor was a little slimmer than Poirot, he had to wear a special pad to look bigger.

3. Moonlighting

“Moonlighting” is an American comedy detective broadcasted from 1985 to 1989. The former high-fashion model Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shepherd) is forced to lead a detective agency, where a private detective David Addison (Bruce Willis) is already working. This sweet couple is trying to solve crimes while constantly arguing.

“Moonlighting” series have given Bruce Willis a start of his movie career. Interesting that Bruce was one of the 3000 applicants for the part and was one of the last to audition. During the fourth season, Bruce has already played in Die Hard. Despite the constant romantic intrigue in the relationship of the main characters, the communication between the actors on set was very tense.

4. How To Get Away With Murder

The title of this show actually contains the plot of the series. A teacher, a brilliant lawyer (Viola Davis), conducts a course of lectures on how to avoid punishment if you have killed someone. And no matter what actions you have to take or what manipulations make in court, the main aim is not to get punished.

At first, students don’t even understand how vital these lectures will be. A series of mysterious murders keep the viewer in constant tension and need to follow the story more closely to understand: who, whom, why and what is happening?

5. Sherlock

The key to success of this TV show is a non-standard approach to classical story, which was played more than a dozen times. Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes, Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson, Mark Gatiss as Mycroft Holmes (and incidentally one of the screenwriters) and of course Andrew Scott as a demonic psychopath Moriarty. Events take place in present time, and the plot is based on the classic stories of Arthur Conan Doyle. However, the actions are so reworked that the viewer just cannot predict the next move. Still, the number of references to classical works will please the most experienced movie and book lover.

6. True Detective

“True detective” is an American criminal anthology, where each season has its own story line and characters.

In the first season, events unfold around two detectives, who were investigating a strange murder in Louisiana that happened in 1995. Later the plot takes viewers in 2012 when the 1995 case reopens since there was a similar murder. In order to advance in the investigation, the police decide to interrogate the former detectives who worked on the case in 1995.

The second season takes us to Californian city Vinci. The head of the city administration disappears right before the presentation of a new railway line, which supposed to improve financial position of the city. Later, his body is found on the highway by a traffic police officer. What began as a murder, turned into a network of conspiracies and machinations.

7. Bones

The fascinating TV series “Bones” easily transfer the viewer into the world of mystery, secret investigations and unusual cases. The main character is a talented anthropologist and brilliant expert, Dr. Temperance Brennan. She is used to dealing with everything herself and the unexpected partner assignment becomes a real horror. Moreover, an ambitious and self-willed FBI agent named Seeley Booth will now work with her. The main characters will investigate mysterious and complex crimes by studying the bones of long-dead people.

Although the plot of the series “Bones” occurs in the Washington district, the shooting takes place in Los Angeles. The exterior of the Institute belongs in fact to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, and its interiors were specially built at the “20th Century Fox” studio. The average audience of the episode “Bones” is at least 8.9 million and reached a maximum of 11.6 million viewers in the sixth season.

8. White Collar

In the center of the plot of the criminal television series “White Collar” professional thief named Neal Caffrey. Over the years, he managed to fool FBI and agent Peter Burke in particular. But one day, after three years of trying to catch Caffrey, Burke gets lucky and puts Neal behind bars.

When Neal had only a few months left in the jail, his girlfriend Kate Moreau was suddenly gone, and the criminal had nothing else to do, but to escape from prison. Now Caffrey is threatened with serving another four years for his escape. Not wanting to return to prison again, Neal offers the FBI a deal: he helps the officers in the investigation of crimes if they will not put him back to jail. Now, Neal will have to wear a special bracelet that restricts his movement and help agent Burke in the crime investigation department.